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Admission Requirements

The following areas of study are required for the minimum predental hygiene program.  Laboratory work should be included in each of the science disciplines.  The basic requirement for admission to the Dental Hygiene Program is completing a minimum of 53 transferable semester credit hours (or 80 quarter hours).  To be eligible to enter as a Junior, it is recommended to have completed a total of 60 semester credit hours.  Please be aware that our institution may not accept credit hours that may have transferred at another institution.  This course work can be completed at any accredited college, community college, or university.  Applicants may apply while completing the required courses providing all coursework is complete at the conclusion of the spring semester (or spring quarter) prior to entry.  Included in those courses must be the following:

General College Biology or Zoology with laboratory: One semester. Since dentistry is dependent upon knowledge of normal and abnormal biology/zoology including laboratory work, this field is of major importance.  Appropriate course selection in the biological sciences should include descriptive principles characterizing plants and animals, cellular structure, function and the metabolic processes of respiration and photosynthesis which should lead to a thorough understanding of the principles of modern biology.

General College Chemistry with laboratory: One academic year. A program in general chemistry should include the following: principles of chemistry, the descriptive chemistry of atomic and molecular structure, chemical bonding, stoichiometry, chemical kinetics, chemical equilibrium, and electro-chemistry.  This program should include laboratory work that serves as an introduction to the principles of qualitative analysis, including ionic equilibria, ionic separation, and the detection of selected simple and complex ions.

Human Anatomy and Physiology with laboratory:  One semester

English Composition: One academic year

General Psychology: One semester

General Sociology: One semester

Public Speaking: One semester

Electives: Microbiology, nutrition, behavioral sciences, humanities, and business courses. These courses will benefit students when beginning with their dental hygiene curriculum.  These courses are not required, only recommended.

Each applicant’s scholastic record will be evaluated on its own merit; however, the School of Dental Medicine reserves the right to review transcripts and make the final determination as to course and requirement suitability.

Preference is given to applicants who are residents of Colorado.  However, a limited number of out-of-state students are admitted.  Women and men of all ages and ethnic groups are encouraged to apply for admission.

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